Dunellen’s Peruvian restaurant Planet Chicken was featured on the Star-Ledger’s 2012 Munchmobile tour. The article was posted on Friday, June 29, 2012
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2012/06/why_do_munchers_cross_the_road.html
“This once-modest storefront, which opened 10 years ago, is now a bustling, cafeteria-like space where chickens spin endlessly on rotisseries. On a busy day, the Peruvian-themed restaurant goes through 100-plus chickens. Planet Chicken is such a popular takeout spot that when co-owner Flor Mendoza checked into a local hospital, the receptionist recognized Mendoza from her voice.
Dishes are simple, hearty and inexpensive; a whole roasted chicken is just under 10 bucks. “Very tasty — juicy and nicely seasoned,” Perlowitz noted. Seasoning includes black pepper, garlic, salt and hot pepper.
Ohlsen said his wife, who is Peruvian, makes a better lomo saltado, but he said the chicken, french fries and onions in the stir-fried dish were all “spot-on.”
Many credit Peru as the birthplace of ceviche, and Planet Chicken’s version is well-executed. “Citrusy, with the right amount of essence and spice,” according to Sorrentino.
There’s no chicken in it, but the parihuela or mixed seafood soup, briny and tomatoey, may turn out to be this summer’s best soup. For a delicious, different drink, try the chicha morada, the Peruvian purple-corn concoction made with apple, pineapple, cinnamon and lime juice.”
This was not the first trip that Munchmobile driver and journalist Pete Genovese has made it to Planet Chicken. In 2005, he visited without his chew crew, and also had a great time. http://www.nj.com/dining/reviews_ledger.ssf?25348?25348
Planet Chicken (732) 424-3424 / 107 North Washington Avenue Dunellen, NJ 08812